Top-10 signs of dysgraphia (ages 4–6)
• Difficulty learning the alphabet and identifying letter sounds to the letter.
• Difficulty learning the letters in the child’s own name.
• Avoiding drawing and writing.
• Avoiding fine motor centers or stations.
• Poor ability to cut with scissors.
• Awkward pencil grasp.
• Poor pencil control for curved letters.
• Good at copying, but cannot compose own words.
• Frustration and shutting down behaviors.
• Self-esteem slipping, feelings of being stupid.
Top-10 signs of dysgraphia (ages 7–12)
Children in this age range display poor overall legibility, which is:
• Mixing upper- and lower-case letters.
• Poor spelling.
• Poor spacing between words.
• Poor placement of letters and words on the line.
• Tiring when writing due to awkward pencil grasp.
• Saying letters and words out loud while writing.
• Difficulty thinking of words to write.
• Poor comprehension of what is written.
• Self-esteem slipping further.
Top-10 signs of dysgraphia in teens and adults
• Mixing print and cursive styles of writing.
• Difficulty brainstorming main idea, supporting sentences.
• Poor organization of writing ideas in general.
• Difficulty organizing what has already been written down.
• Widening gap between speech and written work.
• Work avoidance.
• Taking huge amount of time for work completion.
• Decreased comprehension when writing requirement increases.
• Difficulty with grammar and spelling.
• Lowered self-esteem.
Source: “Dysgraphia: Your Essential Guide,” by Helen Painter
